Stolen generation

Zita Wallace, 68, was snatched from her family aged seven as part of the Australian government's policy of assimilating mixed race children into white society Photograph: Barbara McMahon/freelance

Zita eventually managed to track down her family and spent some time with her mother before she died. She also found her mother's sister, Aggie (right), who has helped her reimerse herself in Aboriginal culture Photograph: Barbara McMahon/freelance

Zita and her aunt, Aggie Photograph: Barbara McMahon/freelance

Aggie with her dogs Photograph: Barbara McMahon/freelance

Zita and her husband, Ron. Zita persuaded Ron that they should move to her ancestral lands in the deserts beyond Alice Springs Photograph: Barbara McMahon/freelance

The area where Zita now lives in is the Pmwarekenhe plain, belonging to her Eastern Arrernte tribe Photograph: Barbara McMahon/freelance

Aggie stripping bark. Zita is keen to learn about her ancestral traditions. While in an orphanage after being taken from her parents she was not allowed to speak her native tongue and was told her family no longer existed Photograph: Barbara McMahon/freelance

Aboriginal Paintings near to Zita's home Photograph: Barbara McMahon/freelance

The entrance to the Aboriginal settlement in Alice Springs. Alcoholism is a major problem in many Aboriginal communities Photograph: Barbara McMahon/freelance

Zita with Aggie at her home Photograph: Barbara McMahon/freelance

Zita's house is in Worita land, her grandfather's dreaming place or sacred site Photograph: Barbara McMahon/freelance

The house is in the desert, 100 miles from Alice Springs and the amenities are basic, such as a fridge powered by car batteries Photograph: Barbara McMahon/freelance

Zita and Aggie in the kitchen Photograph: Barbara McMahon/freelance